In a blistering speech delivered on Saturday, September 28, 2024, Francis Atwoli, the Secretary-General of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU), intensified the political storm surrounding Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, calling for his arrest.
Atwoli accused Gachagua of sowing seeds of tribalism and acting contrary to government policies, remarks that came as impeachment talks swirled around the Deputy President in Parliament.
Speaking at an event in Uasin Gishu County, Atwoli was unreserved in his criticism, urging for swift legal action against Gachagua.
He accused the Deputy President of undermining government efforts and fostering ethnic divisions.
“Hatutakubali hio na ndo nkasema juzi jumatatu, Farouk, ni lazima tuwe na watu wa kushika watu. Kama mtu mmoja anataka kupeleka watu kwa vifo awe arrested because hii sheria iko kwa sheria zetu – official secrets act kwenda soma wewe ulibeba Bibilia ukadanganya Mungu ‘ewe mwenyezi Mungu nisaidie’ to run the government and then you start contradicting the government policies and yet you sit in the cabinet, you sit in the national security committee and you create a departure, you should be arrested,” Atwoli ranted.
“There is no any country that can tolerate such a person. For the sake of securing the majority,” he declared further.
Kibet, MPs input
Atwoli’s comments were echoed by Farouk Kibet, a close aide to President William Ruto, who called on religious leaders to condemn tribalism, a growing issue in the country’s political discourse.
“Bei ya ukabila hatutaki, tunataka bei ya mahindi iweze kuimarika, bei ya chai, bei ya sukari, bei ya kila kitu ya kumsaidia mwanainchi awe juu ndio bei sawasawa. Bei ya ukabila ni mbegu ambaye ata askofu munafaa kujitokeza mapema na kulaani,” Kibet said.
Members of Parliament also weighed in.
Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe condemned tribalism, stating, “We will not accept kama viongori kuuza ama kuuziwa ukabila. Let us not be the agents nor the buyers ya kitu inaitwa ukabila.”
Meanwhile, Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri expressed continued support for President Ruto, regardless of Gachagua’s fate.
“Kama unadanganya usiku lazima ujue kutakua na mchana, ukidanganya mchana ujue kuna usiku. Kwa hivyo nataka kuzungumza niseme sisi mahali natoka tunataka kuungana na Wakenya wengine, jamii zote ziungane.
“Kenya haiwezi kuwa kabila moja, Kenya haiwezi mtu mmoja, Kenya ni ya sisi wote, Kenya inatutosheleza sisi wote. Kwa hivyo yale yanaendelea uko mbele itaendelea, sisi tutaendelea kukaa kwa serikali William Samoie Ruto,” Kiunjuri said.
Gachagua cornered
The call for Gachagua’s arrest and the widespread criticism come as rumours intensify about an impending impeachment motion against him.
Gachagua, rallying support in the politically critical Mount Kenya region, has framed the impeachment effort as a betrayal to his base.
During a campaign stop on Saturday, Gachagua invoked the symbolic significance of Mount Kenya, warning that any political move against him would alienate the region.
“Tukisema harambee, munasema usiguze mlima,” he told a cheering crowd.
The DP also implored President William Ruto to allow him to complete his term in office, amid growing efforts by lawmakers to impeach him.
Despite Gachagua’s appeals for loyalty and regional unity, the rift within the ruling coalition has widened, with leaders like Atwoli openly challenging the Deputy President’s actions and leadership.
The escalating tensions signal a deepening political crisis that could shape the future of the administration as lawmakers prepare to deliberate on Gachagua’s future.
As the nation watches, the unfolding political drama between Gachagua and his critics is set to dominate Kenya’s political discourse in the coming weeks.
